I write about style, art, culture, watches and high-end cars as a staff writer for Forbes. Whether I'm talking with Bernard Arnault, Jeff Koons or Ralph Lauren, my goal is to explore life from the inside, to figure out what success means to those who believe they have attained it--or are well on their way. Write to me at helliott@forbes.com. You can also follow me on Twitter (@HannahElliott), Instagram (@HannahElliottxo), Facebook and Google+.

10 Coolest Cars With Great Gas Mileage

His parents had finally decided to replace the 1991 Nissan Sentra he had driven in high school and still used occasionally to make the trip from Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, back to Manhattan.

The Sentra, among other foibles, lacked air-conditioning and a side mirror. It rattled and hummed at any speed approaching 80 miles per hour. Thing is, Greenburg pater wanted to replace it with something affordable and fuel efficient, like a Honda Civic or Chevy Cruze. Greenburg the younger wanted–nay, needed–something cool.

“When I heard what they were looking at, I kind of groaned and thought that I would be doomed to be borrowing rental cars from them for the rest of my life,” he said.

Fortunately for Zack–a music reporter here at Forbes–his sense of style won out. After weeks of debating the relative merits of reliability, maintenance costs, safety scores and, most importantly, fuel economy, he convinced his parents to choose a cherry red, black-roofed MINI Cooper. With rally-car handling and an impressive 37 miles per gallon on the highway, the iconic coupe proved the perfect compromise between efficiency and style.

“In the end they decided to buy the MINI because it had personality and spunk,” he told me. “It was fun to drive–and got good gas mileage.”

Fighting The Bulge At The Pump

In this instance, Zack’s sense of style prevailed. But his parents weren’t totally wrong to insist on something fuel efficient. Gas prices currently average $3.59 per gallon nationally, with analysts at Kelley Blue Book saying they will surpass $4.00 per gallon sometime this year.

Alec Gutierrez, the senior market analyst of automotive insights at KBB, said the change won’t cost consumers that much. Assuming 12,000 annual miles driven on a 20mpg car, even a $1 raise in prices from $3.60 to $4.60 per gallon would result in paying $11.50 more per week. In short, he says, don’t assume high gas prices mean you’ll get a special discount on a high-efficiency car this year.

But wanting to save money on gas doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be stuck with a Toyota Prius. Consider the 2012 Subaru Impreza. The $20,295 2.0i Sport Premium edition gets 36 miles per gallon on the highway and is renowned for its dexterity in the snow. It also has 17-inch gunmetal alloy wheels, roof rails and fog lights; standard, too, is an all-weather package that will do wonders on weekend trips up to the mountain.

Or try a more luxurious hatchback, the Audi A3. This $30,250 diesel gets 30 miles per gallon and 40 on the highway–and has fantastic electronics like speed-sensitive steering, quattro all-wheel drive, ambient interior lighting and electronic brake stabilization. Plus a leather-clad interior and halogen headlights.

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Great story (and great lede)! I actually drove a Mustang 5.0 GT recently, and I’ve got to say I like the MINI even better — it feels comparably zippy, but with much better handling & sight-lines, and uses about half as much gas. I’m a believer.

How is 21 and 27 mph considered “good” gas mileage? The fact that 30 mph is , or hey, a car for only $60K, considered amazing is the saddest commentary ever about the lack of relevance and innovation in the automotive industry.

Folks – people do not have money like this. I hate to break to to you, but $60K for a car is a ridiculous high price and 21 mph city is appallingly *bad* gas mileage.

Just try and find a car that size, that heavy, and that tech-equipped that gets that sort of mpg. Because you simply won’t. And the list was of ‘cool’ cars that get good mpg’s. Yes, that Merc cost about $60K, and yes it a pretty cool car (though I wouldn’t rate it at sub-zero). For the market segment it’s in it gets great mpg’s. Who cares about the price tag and if someone is able to afford it or not. Some people can’t shell out even $30k for a MINI. If Audi begin sales of their R8 with a V10 deisel, I would say that should make the list.

Don’t state that this is “the saddest commentary ever about the lack of relevance and innovation in the automotive industry,” because 1) it’s an opinion, and 2) you’re wrong. It’s a good commentary, and it’s a commentary. An opinion. The fact that a Merc like that gets 21mpg *city* is extremely innovative. But this is the furthest thing from “the saddest commentary ever.”

Just try and find a car that size, that heavy, and that tech-equipped that gets that sort of mpg. Because you simply won’t. And the list was of ‘cool’ cars that get good mpg’s. Yes, that Merc cost about $60K, and yes it a pretty cool car (though I wouldn’t rate it at sub-zero). For the market segment it’s in it gets great mpg’s. Who cares about the price tag and if someone is able to afford it or not. Some people can’t shell out even $30k for a MINI. If Audi begin sales of their R8 with a V10 diesel, I would say that should make the list.

Don’t state that this is “the saddest commentary ever about the lack of relevance and innovation in the automotive industry,” because 1) it’s an opinion, and 2) you’re wrong. It’s a good commentary, and it’s a commentary. An opinion. The fact that a Merc like that gets 21mpg *city* is extremely innovative. But this is the furthest thing from “the saddest commentary ever.”